Heat exchanger and air-conditioning system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a heat exchanger and an air-conditioning system. The heat exchanger includes heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes have first heat exchange tubes configured to form a first circuit, and second heat exchange tubes configured to form a second circuit. With the heat exchanger and the air-conditioning system according to the embodiments of the present invention, for example, a heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger in a part load condition is improved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/710,079, filed Dec. 11, 2019, which claims foreign priority benefitsunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Chinese Patent Application No. 201811538892.5filed on Dec. 14, 2018, the contents of each of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a heat exchanger and anair-conditioning system.

BACKGROUND

Heat exchangers for two circuits are separate from each other in aconventional air-conditioning system.

SUMMARY

An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a heatexchanger and an air-conditioning system, thereby, for example,improving a heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger in a part loadcondition.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a heat exchanger including:heat exchange tubes, wherein the heat exchange tubes include first heatexchange tubes configured to form a first circuit, and second heatexchange tubes configured to form a second circuit.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangerfurther includes: first fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in a first direction, which are arranged in a row in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction, and which are arrangedalternately with the heat exchange tubes.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchanger isbent in an L shape, a U shape, or a C shape when viewed in the seconddirection.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangetube includes a first end on one side of the heat exchanger in the firstdirection, a second end on the other side of the heat exchanger in thefirst direction, and an intermediate part between the first end and thesecond end, the first end of the first heat exchange tube is benttowards a side of the heat exchanger in a third direction perpendicularto both the first direction and the second direction, and theintermediate part and the second end of the first heat exchange tubeextend in the first direction, and the second end of the second heatexchange tube is bent towards the side of the heat exchanger in thethird direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the seconddirection, and the intermediate part and the first end of the secondheat exchange tube extend in the first direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangerfurther includes: two first manifolds which are connected with and arein fluid communication with the first ends and the second ends of thefirst heat exchange tubes, respectively; and two second manifolds whichare connected with and are in fluid communication with the first endsand the second ends of the second heat exchange tubes, respectively.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangetube includes a first end and a second end, the heat exchanger furtherincludes: two first manifolds which are connected with and are in fluidcommunication with the first ends and the second ends of the first heatexchange tubes, respectively; and two second manifolds which areconnected with and are in fluid communication with the first ends andthe second ends of the second heat exchange tubes, respectively, and oneof the first manifold and the second manifold on one side, in the firstdirection, of the heat exchanger is closer to a center, in the firstdirection, of the heat exchanger than the other in the first direction,such that at least a portion of the one of the first manifold and thesecond manifold is located in a region between the other of the firstmanifold and the second manifold and the first fins in the firstdirection, to hinder at least a portion of an air stream bypassedthrough a gap between the other of the first manifold and the secondmanifold and the first fins.

According to embodiments of the present invention, first heat exchangetube sets each composed of at least one first heat exchange tube, andsecond heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one second heatexchange tube are arranged alternately in the second direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the first heatexchange tubes, the second heat exchange tubes, and the first fins arealigned, on at least one side in a third direction perpendicular to boththe first direction and the second direction, with one another in thesecond direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the first heatexchange tube includes: a first heat exchange tube part and a secondheat exchange tube part arranged in a third direction perpendicular toboth the first direction and the second direction; and a connection partconnecting and fluidly communicating the first heat exchange tube partand the second heat exchange tube part with each other, and the firstheat exchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube part are incontact with a same first fin located on one side of the first heatexchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube part in the seconddirection and are in contact with a same first fin located on the otherside of the first heat exchange tube part and the second heat exchangetube part in the second direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangerfurther includes: first fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in a first direction, and which are arranged in a row in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction; and second fins,at least a portion of each of which extends in the first direction, andwhich are arranged in a row in the second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction, wherein the first heat exchange tube includes: a firstheat exchange tube part and a second heat exchange tube part arranged ina third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and thesecond direction; and a connection part connecting and fluidlycommunicating the first heat exchange tube part and the second heatexchange tube part with each other, wherein the first fins and a firstset of heat exchange tubes composed of both the first heat exchange tubeparts of the first heat exchange tubes and the second heat exchangetubes are arranged alternately in a row in the second directionperpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the second fins and asecond set of heat exchange tubes composed of the second heat exchangetube parts of the first heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately ina row in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the first heatexchange tube part, the second heat exchange tube part, and theconnection part of the first heat exchange tube are formed by bending asingle heat exchange tube.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangetubes further include third heat exchange tubes configured to form athird circuit, and first heat exchange tube sets each composed of atleast one of the first heat exchange tubes, second heat exchange tubesets each composed of at least one of the second heat exchange tubes,and third heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one of thethird heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in the seconddirection.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangerfurther includes: first fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in a first direction, and which are arranged in a row in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction; second fins, atleast a portion of each of which extends in the first direction, andwhich are arranged in a row in the second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction; and third fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in the first direction, and which are arranged in a row in thesecond direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the heatexchange tubes further include third heat exchange tubes configured toform a third circuit, wherein each of the first heat exchange tube andthe second heat exchange tube includes: a first heat exchange tube partand a second heat exchange tube part arranged in a third directionperpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; anda connection part connecting and fluidly communicating the first heatexchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube part with eachother, wherein the first heat exchange tube parts of the first heatexchange tubes, the first heat exchange tube parts of the second heatexchange tubes, and the third heat exchange tubes are arranged in a row,the second heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes arearranged in a row, the second heat exchange tube parts of the secondheat exchange tubes are arranged in a row, and the second heat exchangetube parts of the first heat exchange tubes and the second heat exchangetube parts of the second heat exchange tubes are located on two sides ofthe third heat exchange tubes in the third direction, respectively,wherein the first fins and a first set of heat exchange tubes composedof the second heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubesare arranged alternately in a row in the second direction, wherein thesecond fins and a second set of heat exchange tubes composed of thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes, thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the second heat exchange tubes, andthe third heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in a row in thesecond direction, and wherein the third fins and a third set of heatexchange tubes composed of the second heat exchange tube parts of thesecond heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in a row in thesecond direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangerfurther includes: first fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in a first direction, and which are arranged in a row in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction; and second fins,at least a portion of each of which extends in the first direction, andwhich are arranged in a row in the second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction, wherein the heat exchange tubes further include thirdheat exchange tubes configured to form a third circuit, wherein each ofthe first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube includes:a first heat exchange tube part and a second heat exchange tube partarranged in a third direction perpendicular to both the first directionand the second direction; and a connection part connecting and fluidlycommunicating the first heat exchange tube part and the second heatexchange tube part with each other, wherein the first heat exchange tubeparts of the first heat exchange tubes, the first heat exchange tubeparts of the second heat exchange tubes, and the third heat exchangetubes are arranged in a row, and the second heat exchange tube parts ofthe first heat exchange tubes and the second heat exchange tube parts ofthe second heat exchange tubes are arranged in a row and are located ona side of the third heat exchange tubes in the third direction, whereinthe first fins and a first set of heat exchange tubes composed of thesecond heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes and thesecond heat exchange tube parts of the second heat exchange tubes arearranged alternately in a row in the second direction, and wherein thesecond fins and a second set of heat exchange tubes composed of thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes, thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the second heat exchange tubes, andthe third heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in a row in thesecond direction.

According to embodiments of the present invention, in a third directionperpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, asize of the first fin is the same as a bigger one of a size of a portionof the first heat exchange tube in contact with the first fin and a sizeof a portion of the second heat exchange tube in contact with the firstfin.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangetube includes a first end and a second end, the heat exchanger furtherincludes: two first manifolds which are connected with and are in fluidcommunication with the first ends and the second ends of the first heatexchange tubes, respectively; two second manifolds which are connectedwith and are in fluid communication with the first ends and the secondends of the second heat exchange tubes, respectively, and two thirdmanifolds which are connected with and are in fluid communication withthe first ends and the second ends of the third heat exchange tubes,respectively.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an air-conditioning systemincluding the above heat exchanger.

With the heat exchanger according to the embodiments of the presentinvention, for example, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchangerin the part load condition is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a heat exchanger according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic partially enlarged view of a heat exchangeraccording to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a heat exchanger according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention, in which flow directions of arefrigerant are indicated by arrows along heat exchange tubes;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger according to thefifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a heat exchanger according to a sixthembodiment of the present invention, in which flow directions of arefrigerant are indicated by arrows along heat exchange tubes;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according toa seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger according to theseventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according toan eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger according to theeighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according toa ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of the heat exchanger according to theninth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An air-conditioning system according to embodiments of the presentinvention includes a heat exchanger. Specifically, the air-conditioningsystem according to the embodiments of the present invention includes acompressor, a heat exchanger as an evaporator, a heat exchanger as acondenser, an expansion valve, and the like. The air-conditioning systemmay include two or more circuits. Each circuit is constituted by aportion of a heat exchanger configured to form this circuit. A pluralityof portions of the heat exchanger respectively configured to form thecircuits are connected in parallel and are independent of one another.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 14 , a heat exchanger 100 according toembodiments of the present invention includes heat exchange tubes 1. Theheat exchange tubes 1 include first heat exchange tubes 1A configured toform a first circuit, and second heat exchange tubes 1B configured toform a second circuit.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9 to 14 , the heat exchanger 100 accordingto the embodiments of the present invention further includes first fins2, at least a portion of each of which extends in a first direction D1,which are arranged in a row in a second direction D2 perpendicular tothe first direction D1, and which are arranged alternately with the heatexchange tubes 1. Thereby, for example, if one of two circuits of atwo-circuit air-conditioning system is turned off, at least some of finsfor the one circuit may be used for the other circuit to improve a heatexchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9 to 14 , the first heat exchange tubes 1Aand the second heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged alternately in thesecond direction D2. In other embodiments of the present invention,first heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one (one, two,three or more) of the first heat exchange tubes 1A, and second heatexchange tube sets each composed of at least one (one, two, three ormore) of the second heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged alternately inthe second direction D2. In other words, a plurality of first heatexchange tube sets and a plurality of second heat exchange tube sets arearranged alternately. The heat exchange tube 1 may be a flat tube.According to examples of the present invention, the first heat exchangetubes 1A, the second heat exchange tubes 1B, and the first fins 2 arealigned, on at least one side in a third direction D3 perpendicular toboth the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, with oneanother in the second direction D2. In some examples of the presentinvention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A include a plurality of firstheat exchange tube sets, the second heat exchange tubes 1B include aplurality of second heat exchange tube sets, and the plurality of firstheat exchange tube sets and the plurality of second heat exchange tubesets are arranged alternately in the second direction D2. The pluralityof first heat exchange tube sets may have the same number or differentnumbers of first heat exchange tubes 1A. The plurality of second heatexchange tube sets may have the same number or different numbers ofsecond heat exchange tubes 1B.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9 to 14 , in some embodiments of thepresent invention, the first fin 2 has a same size in the thirddirection D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the seconddirection D2 as a bigger one of a portion of the first heat exchangetube 1A in contact with the first fin 2 and a portion of the second heatexchange tube 1B in contact with the first fin 2. Thereby, both thefirst heat exchange tube 1A and the second heat exchange tube 1B are incontact with the first fin 2 over their entire sizes (for example theirentire widths) in the third direction D3.

According to embodiments of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 3and 9 to 14 , the heat exchanger 100 is bent in an L shape (FIGS. 9 and10 ), a U shape (FIGS. 3, 13 and 14 ), or a C shape (FIGS. 11 and 12 )when viewed in the second direction D2 (i.e. when viewed in a top view).In addition, the heat exchanger 100 may be bent in any other shape suchas a V shape. A heat exchange area may be increased by bending the heatexchanger. The bent heat exchanger is obviously superior in heatexchange capability to a single-row heat exchanger. The number ofcircuits of the heat exchanger may be greater than or equal to 2.

According to embodiments of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1to 3 , the heat exchange tube 1 includes a first end 11 on one side ofthe heat exchanger 100 in the first direction D1, a second end 12 on theother side of the heat exchanger 100 in the first direction D1, and anintermediate part 13 between the first end 11 and the second end 12. Thefirst end 11 of the first heat exchange tube 1A is bent towards a sideof the heat exchanger 100 in the third direction D3 perpendicular toboth the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and theintermediate part 13 and the second end 12 of the first heat exchangetube 1A extend in the first direction D1. In addition, the second end 12of the second heat exchange tube 1B is bent towards the side of the heatexchanger 100 in the third direction D3 perpendicular to both the firstdirection D1 and the second direction D2, and the intermediate part 13and the first end 11 of the second heat exchange tube 1B extend in thefirst direction D1. The heat exchange tube 1 is bent at only one end andnot bent in the other end. All the heat exchange tubes 1 may have thesame shape and size, so that the number of types of the heat exchangetubes 1 is reduced, thereby remarkably increasing a manufacturingefficiency of the heat exchanger.

According to embodiments of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1to 4 and 9 to 14 , the heat exchanger 100 further includes: two firstmanifolds 3A which are connected with and are in fluid communicationwith the first ends 11 and the second ends 12 of the first heat exchangetubes 1A, respectively; and two second manifolds 3B which are connectedwith and are in fluid communication with the first ends 11 and thesecond ends 12 of the second heat exchange tubes 1B, respectively.

According to embodiments of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1to 4 and 9 to 14, the heat exchange tube 1 includes a first end 11 and asecond end 12. The heat exchanger 100 further includes: two firstmanifolds 3A which are connected with and are in fluid communicationwith the first ends 11 and the second ends 12 of the first heat exchangetubes 1A, respectively; and two second manifolds 3B which are connectedwith and are in fluid communication with the first ends 11 and thesecond ends 12 of the second heat exchange tubes 1B, respectively. Oneof the first manifold 3A and the second manifold 3B on one side, in thefirst direction D1, of the heat exchanger 100 is closer to a center, inthe first direction D1, of the heat exchanger 100 than the other in thefirst direction D1, such that at least a portion of the one of the firstmanifold 3A and the second manifold 3B is located in a region betweenthe other of the first manifold 3A and the second manifold 3B and thefirst fins 2 in the first direction D1, to hinder at least a portion ofan air stream A bypassed through a gap between the other of the firstmanifold 3A and the second manifold 3B and the first fins 2 as shown inFIG. 4 . Referring to FIG. 4 , a height difference between a center lineof the first manifold 3A and a center line of the second manifold 3B isH.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in some embodiments of the present invention, thefirst heat exchange tube 1A includes: a first heat exchange tube part1A1 and a second heat exchange tube part 1A2 arranged in the thirddirection D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the seconddirection D2; and a connection part 1A3 connecting and fluidlycommunicating the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and the second heatexchange tube part 1A2 with each other. The first heat exchange tubepart 1A1 and the second heat exchange tube part 1A2 are in contact witha same first fin 2 located on one side of the first heat exchange tubepart 1A1 and the second heat exchange tube part 1A2 in the seconddirection D2 and are in contact with a same first fin 2 located on theother side of the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and the second heatexchange tube part 1A2 in the second direction D2. For example, thefirst heat exchange tube part 1A1, the second heat exchange tube part1A2, and the connection part 1A3 of the first heat exchange tube 1A areformed by bending a single heat exchange tube 1.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, at least some ofthe plurality of first fins 2 are shared by the first heat exchangetubes 1A and the second heat exchange tubes 1B. Therefore, if one of twocircuits of a two-circuit air-conditioning system is turned off, atleast some of the first fins for the one circuit may be used for theother circuit to improve a heat exchange efficiency of the heatexchanger.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in some embodiments of the present invention, theheat exchanger 100 further includes: first fins 2, at least a portion ofeach of which extends in the first direction D1, and which are arrangedin a row in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first directionD1; and second fins, at least a portion of each of which extends in thefirst direction D1, and which are arranged in a row in the seconddirection D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first heatexchange tube 1A includes: a first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and asecond heat exchange tube part 1A2 arranged in the third direction D3perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second directionD2; and a connection part 1A3 connecting and fluidly communicating thefirst heat exchange tube part 1A1 and the second heat exchange tube part1A2 with each other. The first fins 2 and a first set of heat exchangetubes 1 composed of both the first heat exchange tube parts 1A1 of thefirst heat exchange tubes 1A and the second heat exchange tubes 1B arearranged alternately in a row in the second direction D2 perpendicularto the first direction D1, and the second fins and a second set of heatexchange tubes 1 composed of the second heat exchange tube parts 1A2 ofthe first heat exchange tubes 1A are arranged alternately in a row inthe second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. Aheight of the second fin in the second direction D2 is substantiallyequal to a distance between two adjacent second heat exchange tube parts1A2, and is greater than a height of the first fin 2 in the seconddirection D2. In other words, in the present embodiment, the first heatexchange tube 1A has a greater length than the second heat exchange tube1B, thereby achieving different heat exchange capabilities of differentcirculation circuits. In addition to the achievement of the differentheat exchange capabilities of the different circulation circuits, aninstallation space for the heat exchanger is sufficiently utilized. Theheat exchanger is obviously superior in heat exchange capability to asingle-row heat exchanger. The first heat exchange tube parts 1A1 andthe second heat exchange tube parts 1A2 may be substantially parallel toone another, and may be substantially parallel to the second heatexchange tubes 1B.

Referring to FIG. 8 and referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in someembodiments of the present invention, the heat exchange tubes 1 furtherinclude third heat exchange tubes 1C configured to form a third circuit.As shown in FIG. 8 , the first heat exchange tube 1A includes: a firstheat exchange tube part 1A1 and a second heat exchange tube part 1A2arranged in the third direction D3 perpendicular to both the firstdirection D1 and the second direction D2; and a connection part 1A3connecting and fluidly communicating the first heat exchange tube part1A1 and the second heat exchange tube part 1A2 with each other. As shownin FIG. 8 , the second heat exchange tube 1B includes: a first heatexchange tube part 1B1 and a second heat exchange tube part 1B2 arrangedin the third direction D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1and the second direction D2; and a connection part 1B3 connecting andfluidly communicating the first heat exchange tube part 1B1 and thesecond heat exchange tube part 1B2 with each other. The first heatexchange tube part 1A1 and the second heat exchange tube part 1A2 of thefirst heat exchange tube 1A are in contact with a same first fin 2located on one side of the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and thesecond heat exchange tube part 1A2 of the first heat exchange tube 1A inthe second direction D2 and are in contact with a same first fin 2located on the other side of the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 andthe second heat exchange tube part 1A2 of the first heat exchange tube1A in the second direction D2. The first heat exchange tube part 1B1 andthe second heat exchange tube part 1B2 of the second heat exchange tube1B are in contact with a same first fin 2 located on one side of thefirst heat exchange tube part 1B1 and the second heat exchange tube part1B2 of the second heat exchange tube 1B in the second direction D2 andare in contact with a same first fin 2 located on the other side of thefirst heat exchange tube part 1B1 and the second heat exchange tube part1B2 of the second heat exchange tube 1B in the second direction D2.According to examples of the present invention, the first heat exchangetube parts 1A1 of the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the first heatexchange tube parts 1B1 of the second heat exchange tubes 1B, and thethird heat exchange tubes 1C are arranged in a row, the second heatexchange tube parts 1A2 of the first heat exchange tubes 1A are arrangedin a row, the second heat exchange tube parts 1B2 of the second heatexchange tubes 1B are arranged in a row, and the second heat exchangetube parts 1A2 of the first heat exchange tubes 1A and the second heatexchange tube parts 1B2 of the second heat exchange tubes 1B are locatedon two sides of the third heat exchange tubes 1C in the third directionD3, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 8 and referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in someembodiments of the present invention, the heat exchanger 100 furtherincludes: first fins 2, at least a portion of each of which extends inthe first direction D1, and which are arranged in a row in the seconddirection D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1; second fins, atleast a portion of each of which extends in the first direction D1, andwhich are arranged in a row in the second direction D2 perpendicular tothe first direction D1; and third fins, at least a portion of each ofwhich extends in the first direction D1, and which are arranged in a rowin the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. Theheat exchange tubes 1 further include third heat exchange tubes 1Cconfigured to form a third circuit. The first heat exchange tube 1Aincludes: a first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and a second heat exchangetube part 1A2 arranged in the third direction D3 perpendicular to boththe first direction D1 and the second direction D2; and a connectionpart 1A3 connecting and fluidly communicating the first heat exchangetube part 1A1 and the second heat exchange tube part 1A2 with eachother. The second heat exchange tube 1B includes: a first heat exchangetube part 1B1 and a second heat exchange tube part 1B2 arranged in thethird direction D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and thesecond direction D2; and a connection part 1B3 connecting and fluidlycommunicating the first heat exchange tube part 1B1 and the second heatexchange tube part 1B2 with each other. The first heat exchange tubeparts 1A1 of the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the first heat exchangetube parts 1B1 of the second heat exchange tubes 1B, and the third heatexchange tubes 1C are arranged in a row, the second heat exchange tubeparts 1A2 of the first heat exchange tubes 1A are arranged in a row, thesecond heat exchange tube parts 1B2 of the second heat exchange tubes 1Bare arranged in a row, and the second heat exchange tube parts 1A2 ofthe first heat exchange tubes 1A and the second heat exchange tube parts1B2 of the second heat exchange tubes 1B are located on two sides of thethird heat exchange tubes 1C in the third direction D3, respectively.The first fins 2 and a first set of heat exchange tubes 1 composed ofthe second heat exchange tube parts 1A2 of the first heat exchange tubes1A are arranged alternately in a row in the second direction D2. Thesecond fins and a second set of heat exchange tubes 1 composed of thefirst heat exchange tube parts 1A1 of the first heat exchange tubes 1A,the first heat exchange tube parts 1B1 of the second heat exchange tubes1B, and the third heat exchange tubes 1C are arranged alternately in arow in the second direction D2. In addition, the third fins and a thirdset of heat exchange tubes 1 composed of the second heat exchange tubeparts 1B2 of the second heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged alternatelyin a row in the second direction D2.

Referring to FIG. 8 and referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in someembodiments of the present invention, the heat exchanger 100 furtherincludes: first fins 2, at least a portion of each of which extends inthe first direction D1, and which are arranged in a row in the seconddirection D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1; and second fins,at least a portion of each of which extends in the first direction D1,and which are arranged in a row in the second direction D2 perpendicularto the first direction D1. The heat exchange tubes 1 further includethird heat exchange tubes 1C configured to form a third circuit. Thefirst heat exchange tube 1A includes: a first heat exchange tube part1A1 and a second heat exchange tube part 1A2 arranged in the thirddirection D3 perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the seconddirection D2; and a connection part 1A3 connecting and fluidlycommunicating the first heat exchange tube part 1A1 and the second heatexchange tube part 1A2 with each other. The second heat exchange tube 1Bincludes: a first heat exchange tube part 1B1 and a second heat exchangetube part 1B2 arranged in the third direction D3 perpendicular to boththe first direction D1 and the second direction D2; and a connectionpart 1B3 connecting and fluidly communicating the first heat exchangetube part 1B1 and the second heat exchange tube part 1B2 with eachother. The first heat exchange tube parts 1A1 of the first heat exchangetubes 1A, the first heat exchange tube parts 1B1 of the second heatexchange tubes 1B, and the third heat exchange tubes 1C are arranged ina row, and the second heat exchange tube parts 1A2 of the first heatexchange tubes 1A and the second heat exchange tube parts 1B2 of thesecond heat exchange tubes 1B are arranged in a row and are located on aside of the third heat exchange tubes 1C in the third direction D3. Thefirst fins 2 and a first set of heat exchange tubes 1 composed of thesecond heat exchange tube parts 1A2 of the first heat exchange tubes 1Aand the second heat exchange tube parts 1B2 of the second heat exchangetubes 1B are arranged alternately in a row in the second direction D2.In addition, The second fins and a second set of heat exchange tubes 1composed of the first heat exchange tube parts 1A1 of the first heatexchange tubes 1A, the first heat exchange tube parts 1B1 of the secondheat exchange tubes 1B, and the third heat exchange tubes 1C arearranged alternately in a row in the second direction D2.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8 , in some embodiments of the presentinvention, the heat exchange tube 1 includes a first end 11 and a secondend 12. the heat exchanger 100 further includes: two first manifolds 3Awhich are connected with and are in fluid communication with the firstends 11 and the second ends 12 of the first heat exchange tubes 1A,respectively; two second manifolds 3B which are connected with and arein fluid communication with the first ends 11 and the second ends 12 ofthe second heat exchange tubes 1B, respectively; and two third manifolds3C which are connected with and are in fluid communication with thefirst ends 11 and the second ends 12 of the third heat exchange tubes1C, respectively. According to embodiments of the present invention, themanifolds for one circuit may not be used or may be closed so that theheat exchanger 100 may be applied to a two-circuit system. In addition,an arrangement sequence, in the third direction, of three manifolds ofthe heat exchanger 100 on a side of the heat exchanger 100 in the firstdirection may be changed according to requirements.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 7 , in some embodiments of the presentinvention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the second heat exchangetubes 1B, and the third heat exchange tubes 1C are arranged alternatelyin the second direction D2. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, first heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one(one, two, three or more) of the first heat exchange tubes 1A, secondheat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one (one, two, threeor more) of the second heat exchange tubes 1B, and third heat exchangetube sets each composed of at least one (one, two, three or more) of thethird heat exchange tubes 1C are arranged alternately in the seconddirection D2. In other words, a plurality of first heat exchange tubesets, a plurality of second heat exchange tube sets, and a plurality ofthird heat exchange tube sets are arranged alternately. The heatexchange tube 1 may be a flat tube. According to examples of the presentinvention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the second heat exchangetubes 1B, the third heat exchange tubes 1C, and the first fins 2 arealigned, on at least one side in the third direction D3 perpendicular toboth the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, with oneanother in the second direction D2. According to examples of the presentinvention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the second heat exchangetubes 1B, the third heat exchange tubes 1C, and the first fins 2 arearranged alternately in a row in the second direction D2, or arearranged in a row in any other way. In some examples of the presentinvention, the first heat exchange tubes 1A include a plurality of firstheat exchange tube sets, the second heat exchange tubes 1B include aplurality of second heat exchange tube sets, the third heat exchangetubes 1C include a plurality of third heat exchange tube sets, and theplurality of first heat exchange tube sets, the plurality of second heatexchange tube sets, and the plurality of third heat exchange tube setsare arranged alternately in the second direction D2. The plurality offirst heat exchange tube sets may have the same number or differentnumbers of first heat exchange tubes 1A. The plurality of second heatexchange tube sets may have the same number or different numbers ofsecond heat exchange tubes 1B. The plurality of third heat exchange tubesets may have the same number or different numbers of third heatexchange tubes 1C.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 7 , in some embodiments of the presentinvention, the first fin 2 has a same size in the third direction D3perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2as a biggest one of a portion of the first heat exchange tube 1A incontact with the first fin 2, a portion of the second heat exchange tube1B in contact with the first fin 2, and a portion of the third heatexchange tube 1C in contact with the first fin 2. Thereby, all the firstheat exchange tube 1A, the second heat exchange tube 1B, and the thirdheat exchange tube 1C are in contact with the first fin 2 over theirentire sizes (for example their entire widths) in the third directionD3.

Referring to FIG. 8 and referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in someembodiments of the present invention, different heat exchangecapabilities of different circulation circuits may be achieved bychanging lengths of the heat exchange tubes 1, while a length of adifferent heat exchange tube 1 for a different circuit may be achievedby bending a heat exchange tube 1. In addition to the achievement of thedifferent heat exchange capabilities of the different circulationcircuits, an installation space for the heat exchanger is sufficientlyutilized. The heat exchanger is obviously superior in heat exchangecapability to a single-row heat exchanger. The number of the circulationcircuits may be greater than or equal to 2. A length of a heat exchangetube 1 for at least one circuit is greater than a length of a heatexchange tube 1 for the other circuit(s), and heat exchange tube partsformed by bending the heat exchange tubes 1 for the at least one circuitare substantially parallel to the other heat exchange tubes 1.

Referring to FIG. 8 and referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in someembodiments of the present invention, the first heat exchange tube part,the second heat exchange tube part, and the connection part of the heatexchange tube 1 are formed by bending a single heat exchange tube 1.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, referring toFIGS. 6 to 8 , at least some of the plurality of first fins 2 are sharedby the first heat exchange tubes 1A, the second heat exchange tubes 1B,and the third heat exchange tubes 1C. Therefore, if one of threecircuits of a three-circuit air-conditioning system is turned off, atleast some of the first fins for the one circuit may be used for theother two circuits to improve a heat exchange efficiency of the heatexchanger.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchangecapacity of the heat exchanger in the part load condition is improved,the heat exchanger can maintain an enough flow rate of a refrigerant forreturning an oil in the part load condition, and in the case where onecircuit fails, the air-conditioning system can continue to operatethrough another circuit.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the heatexchanger has more than two circuits, and can be applied to a systemhaving a plurality of completely separate circuits. Each circuit has aseparate compressor, and in each circuit, a refrigerant flowsindependently. The three-circuit heat exchanger can be applied to notonly a three-circuit system, and but also a two-circuit system.

In addition, the above embodiments of the present invention may becombined into new embodiments.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described withrespect to a particular embodiment thereof, it should be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to thisdisclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger comprising: heat exchange tubes,wherein the heat exchange tubes comprise first heat exchange tubesconfigured to form a first circuit, and second heat exchange tubesconfigured to form a second circuit.
 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1,further comprising: first fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in a first direction, which are arranged in a row in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction, and which are arrangedalternately with the heat exchange tubes.
 3. The heat exchanger of claim2, wherein: the heat exchanger is bent in an L shape, a U shape, or a Cshape when viewed in the second direction.
 4. The heat exchanger ofclaim 2, wherein: the heat exchange tube comprises a first end on oneside of the heat exchanger in the first direction, a second end on theother side of the heat exchanger in the first direction, and anintermediate part between the first end and the second end, the firstend of the first heat exchange tube is bent towards a side of the heatexchanger in a third direction perpendicular to both the first directionand the second direction, and the intermediate part and the second endof the first heat exchange tube extend in the first direction, and thesecond end of the second heat exchange tube is bent towards the side ofthe heat exchanger in the third direction perpendicular to both thefirst direction and the second direction, and the intermediate part andthe first end of the second heat exchange tube extend in the firstdirection.
 5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, further comprising: twofirst manifolds which are connected with and are in fluid communicationwith the first ends and the second ends of the first heat exchangetubes, respectively; and two second manifolds which are connected withand are in fluid communication with the first ends and the second endsof the second heat exchange tubes, respectively.
 6. The heat exchangerof claim 2, wherein: the heat exchange tube comprises a first end and asecond end, the heat exchanger further comprises: two first manifoldswhich are connected with and are in fluid communication with the firstends and the second ends of the first heat exchange tubes, respectively;and two second manifolds which are connected with and are in fluidcommunication with the first ends and the second ends of the second heatexchange tubes, respectively, and one of the first manifold and thesecond manifold on one side, in the first direction, of the heatexchanger is closer to a center, in the first direction, of the heatexchanger than the other in the first direction, such that at least aportion of the one of the first manifold and the second manifold islocated in a region between the other of the first manifold and thesecond manifold and the first fins in the first direction, to hinder atleast a portion of an air stream bypassed through a gap between theother of the first manifold and the second manifold and the first fins.7. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: first heat exchange tube setseach composed of at least one of the first heat exchange tubes, andsecond heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one of thesecond heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in the seconddirection.
 8. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: the first heatexchange tubes, the second heat exchange tubes, and the first fins arealigned, on at least one side in a third direction perpendicular to boththe first direction and the second direction, with one another in thesecond direction.
 9. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: the firstheat exchange tube comprises: a first heat exchange tube part and asecond heat exchange tube part arranged in a third directionperpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; anda connection part connecting and fluidly communicating the first heatexchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube part with eachother, and the first heat exchange tube part and the second heatexchange tube part are in contact with a same first fin located on oneside of the first heat exchange tube part and the second heat exchangetube part in the second direction and are in contact with a same firstfin located on the other side of the first heat exchange tube part andthe second heat exchange tube part in the second direction.
 10. The heatexchanger of claim 1, further comprising: first fins, at least a portionof each of which extends in a first direction, and which are arranged ina row in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; andsecond fins, at least a portion of each of which extends in the firstdirection, and which are arranged in a row in the second directionperpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first heat exchangetube comprises: a first heat exchange tube part and a second heatexchange tube part arranged in a third direction perpendicular to boththe first direction and the second direction; and a connection partconnecting and fluidly communicating the first heat exchange tube partand the second heat exchange tube part with each other, wherein thefirst fins and a first set of heat exchange tubes composed of both thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes and thesecond heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in a row in thesecond direction perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein thesecond fins and a second set of heat exchange tubes composed of thesecond heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes arearranged alternately in a row in the second direction perpendicular tothe first direction.
 11. The heat exchanger of claim 9, wherein: thefirst heat exchange tube part, the second heat exchange tube part, andthe connection part of the first heat exchange tube are formed bybending a single heat exchange tube.
 12. The heat exchanger of claim 2,wherein: the heat exchange tubes further comprise third heat exchangetubes configured to form a third circuit, and first heat exchange tubesets each composed of at least one of the first heat exchange tubes,second heat exchange tube sets each composed of at least one of thesecond heat exchange tubes, and third heat exchange tube sets eachcomposed of at least one of the third heat exchange tubes are arrangedalternately in the second direction.
 13. The heat exchanger of claim 1,further comprising: first fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in a first direction, and which are arranged in a row in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction; second fins, atleast a portion of each of which extends in the first direction, andwhich are arranged in a row in the second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction; and third fins, at least a portion of each of whichextends in the first direction, and which are arranged in a row in thesecond direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the heatexchange tubes further comprise third heat exchange tubes configured toform a third circuit, wherein each of the first heat exchange tube andthe second heat exchange tube comprises: a first heat exchange tube partand a second heat exchange tube part arranged in a third directionperpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; anda connection part connecting and fluidly communicating the first heatexchange tube part and the second heat exchange tube part with eachother, wherein the first heat exchange tube parts of the first heatexchange tubes, the first heat exchange tube parts of the second heatexchange tubes, and the third heat exchange tubes are arranged in a row,the second heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes arearranged in a row, the second heat exchange tube parts of the secondheat exchange tubes are arranged in a row, and the second heat exchangetube parts of the first heat exchange tubes and the second heat exchangetube parts of the second heat exchange tubes are located on two sides ofthe third heat exchange tubes in the third direction, respectively,wherein the first fins and a first set of heat exchange tubes composedof the second heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubesare arranged alternately in a row in the second direction, wherein thesecond fins and a second set of heat exchange tubes composed of thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes, thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the second heat exchange tubes, andthe third heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in a row in thesecond direction, and wherein the third fins and a third set of heatexchange tubes composed of the second heat exchange tube parts of thesecond heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in a row in thesecond direction.
 14. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising:first fins, at least a portion of each of which extends in a firstdirection, and which are arranged in a row in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction; and second fins, at least aportion of each of which extends in the first direction, and which arearranged in a row in the second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection, wherein the heat exchange tubes further comprise third heatexchange tubes configured to form a third circuit, wherein each of thefirst heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube comprises: afirst heat exchange tube part and a second heat exchange tube partarranged in a third direction perpendicular to both the first directionand the second direction; and a connection part connecting and fluidlycommunicating the first heat exchange tube part and the second heatexchange tube part with each other, wherein the first heat exchange tubeparts of the first heat exchange tubes, the first heat exchange tubeparts of the second heat exchange tubes, and the third heat exchangetubes are arranged in a row, and the second heat exchange tube parts ofthe first heat exchange tubes and the second heat exchange tube parts ofthe second heat exchange tubes are arranged in a row and are located ona side of the third heat exchange tubes in the third direction, whereinthe first fins and a first set of heat exchange tubes composed of thesecond heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes and thesecond heat exchange tube parts of the second heat exchange tubes arearranged alternately in a row in the second direction, and wherein thesecond fins and a second set of heat exchange tubes composed of thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the first heat exchange tubes, thefirst heat exchange tube parts of the second heat exchange tubes, andthe third heat exchange tubes are arranged alternately in a row in thesecond direction.
 15. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein: the firstfin has a same size in a third direction perpendicular to both the firstdirection and the second direction as a bigger one of a portion of thefirst heat exchange tube in contact with the first fin and a portion ofthe second heat exchange tube in contact with the first fin.
 16. Theheat exchanger of claim 12, wherein: the heat exchange tube comprises afirst end and a second end, the heat exchanger further comprises: twofirst manifolds which are connected with and are in fluid communicationwith the first ends and the second ends of the first heat exchangetubes, respectively; two second manifolds which are connected with andare in fluid communication with the first ends and the second ends ofthe second heat exchange tubes, respectively, and two third manifoldswhich are connected with and are in fluid communication with the firstends and the second ends of the third heat exchange tubes, respectively.17. An air-conditioning system comprising: the heat exchanger ofclaim
 1. 18. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein: the first heatexchange tube part, the second heat exchange tube part, and theconnection part of the first heat exchange tube are formed by bending asingle heat exchange tube.
 19. The heat exchanger of claim 13, wherein:the heat exchange tube comprises a first end and a second end, the heatexchanger further comprises: two first manifolds which are connectedwith and are in fluid communication with the first ends and the secondends of the first heat exchange tubes, respectively; two secondmanifolds which are connected with and are in fluid communication withthe first ends and the second ends of the second heat exchange tubes,respectively, and two third manifolds which are connected with and arein fluid communication with the first ends and the second ends of thethird heat exchange tubes, respectively.
 20. The heat exchanger of claim14, wherein: the heat exchange tube comprises a first end and a secondend, the heat exchanger further comprises: two first manifolds which areconnected with and are in fluid communication with the first ends andthe second ends of the first heat exchange tubes, respectively; twosecond manifolds which are connected with and are in fluid communicationwith the first ends and the second ends of the second heat exchangetubes, respectively, and two third manifolds which are connected withand are in fluid communication with the first ends and the second endsof the third heat exchange tubes, respectively.